500% Energy Efficiency... Samsung Electronics’ 'Energy Magic' to End the Fear of High Gas Bills

Launch of Korean-Style ‘EHS Heat Pump Boiler’
Heats Air and Water Using Refrigerant State Changes
Over Five Times More Efficient Than Input Power

In an era where skyrocketing winter gas bills have become a source of anxiety, Samsung Electronics has unveiled a bold new strategy, introducing an “energy efficiency of 500%.” Going beyond simply using electricity to heat water, the company aims to transform the domestic heating market with its so-called “energy magic” heat pump technology, which absorbs and amplifies ambient heat.

Song Byungha, Head of the Air Solution Team at the Digital Appliances (DA) Division of Samsung Electronics, introduced the new Korean-style ‘EHS Heat Pump Boiler’ at a media briefing held on the 29th at the Taepyeong-ro Building in Jung-gu. He stated, “In the European market, which is dominated by local heating companies, Samsung Electronics’ heat pumps are being recognized by business partners as being on the verge of becoming a top player.”

Song Byungha, Group Leader of the Air Solution Team in the Digital Appliances (DA) Business Division at Samsung Electronics, introduced the new Korean-style "EHS Heat Pump Boiler" at a media briefing held at the Taepyeongro Building in Jung-gu on the 29th. Photo by Kim Jinyoung

The core innovation of this new product lies in its revolutionary heating method. Traditional gas boilers or electric heaters generate heat directly by burning fuel or using electrical resistance. Since energy must be conserved, they cannot produce more heat than the energy that is supplied. In fact, energy losses in the form of smoke or light mean that real-world efficiency is always below 100% (typically between 80–95%).

In contrast, a heat pump does not generate heat directly; instead, it uses changes in the refrigerant’s state to draw in external thermal energy. It functions as a conveyor belt, absorbing latent heat from outdoor air and moving it indoors. As a result, it has achieved a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of 4.9, based on a hot water outlet temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, which is commonly used for underfloor heating. This means that, under the same conditions, it can produce approximately 4.9 times more heating energy compared to the power consumption of conventional fossil fuel boilers used in typical households.

Of course, this “500% efficiency” is a figure achieved under ideal conditions. As the outdoor temperature drops, the amount of heat that can be drawn in decreases, causing the efficiency of the heat pump to fall. To ensure stable operation even in extremely cold environments, Samsung Electronics has introduced its proprietary “flash injection” technology. By mixing and injecting liquid and gas refrigerants during compression, this technology allows the system to function reliably even at extremely low temperatures of minus 25 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the use of an environmentally friendly refrigerant (R32) with a low global warming potential helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 60%, supporting sustainability in line with the carbon-neutral era.

Samsung Electronics 'EHS Heat Pump Boiler' outdoor unit and controller. Photo by Jin Young Kim

The market Samsung Electronics is focusing on most is Europe, which accounts for 50% of global heat pump boiler sales. Currently, Europe is implementing aggressive support policies, recognizing heat pumps as a renewable energy source to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce dependence on gas. In addition, the United States, Japan, and China are also expanding the adoption of heat pumps through national-level subsidies and tax incentives.

To gain a foothold in the European market, Samsung Electronics has significantly strengthened its research and development (R&D) infrastructure. The company has formed a consortium with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Luleå University of Technology (LTU) in Sweden to jointly develop high-efficiency heating technologies. It is also operating test labs in more than 20 locations worldwide, including North America and Europe, to build solutions optimized for local climates and residential environments.

A shift toward electric heating is also expected in Korea. In line with the “2050 carbon neutrality” goal, the government announced a heat pump distribution program this month and plans to expand support to 3.5 million units by 2035. Recipients selected for the program can receive subsidies covering up to 70% of the purchase and installation costs.

Song added, “We are discussing with Samsung C&T how to promote the adoption of heat pumps in Korea’s high-rise apartment environments. We are currently researching solutions that allow heat pumps to operate effectively within the load and power constraints of apartments, and we expect to have results soon.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.